Shop

Friday, February 22, 2013

stepping stones

It's a significant piece for me in a couple of ways. Most obviously because it's a wall piece, the first stone wall piece I've done.

I've named it 'stepping stones' as both a nod to its design and to what it represents to me.

All of the wool and thread I used is stuff I've dyed by hand from natural materials, much of it gathered from my woods. There's tansy, strawberry leaf, bedstraw root, mushrooms, yarrow, wormwood, dock, cedar, St. John's Wort, onion skins, red cabbage, and more. Those colors represent countless walks in the woods, countless moments of experimentation.

The wood is a piece of poplar, also from my woods, that I planed and shaped. I gave it its grey color by applying the same iron mordant - a combination of vinegar and steel wool- I use for dyeing and a layer of strong black tea. No stains or polyurethanes. I left the holes and trails of the burrowing insects that once inhabited it.

As I worked, I thought about these stitches I do, and how they represent my love of the small and oft-overlooked bits of nature. I thought about how to make things that are meaningful and beautiful that are at the same time respectful of the very thing I love.

Rather than gluing, I sewed the stones to the wood. I rather like how it looks from the back.

I was nervous finishing this piece. I was afraid that I would disappoint myself once it was all put together but now that it's done, and even though there are things I will do differently on the next piece, I'm happy with it. It feels like the right next step.

words can in no way describe the emotion this piece evokes in my lisa. Can it come to toronto to hang in a place where I will be able to visit it and contemplate its depth, fullness and mystery. I love it so much I am in tears writing this little message. ps i love that you didn't desecrate it with glue.

Hi!I've been following your blog for a while, but I think this is the first time I'm commenting. I really love your 'stepping stones', it is so calm and happy and detailed.Also, a few days ago I've read something in a book, and you came into my mind immediately. I thought you might be interested :)"Her dye-pot was always on the stove. She was an expert in home-made dyes. No "bought" dyes for Judy. They faded in a year, she averred. Crottle and lichens and barks . . . elderberries that gave purple dyes . . . the inner bark of birch trees for brown . . . green dye from willow stems . . . yellow from Lombardy poplars. Judy knew them all and she and the children tramped far afield searching for them."(source: http://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks02/0201061.txt)

I'm so impressed with every bit of this piece. You're a "rock" star! It's fantastic to see this "next step" and I'd love to have this on my own wall so I could keep returning to it, studying every stitch.xo

Your talent for highlighting the beauty of, and creating beauty from, natural elements -- well there just aren't adjectives adequate to describe the wonder of it. And the love you instill in your work is palpable. You give me joy.

Hi,It's such a beautiful piece of work and such subtle colours from all the different plant dyes - truly stunning! And so lovely to see several of the stones put together into one artwork. You should be very proud of it :)

Oh, WOW!!! This piece is simply stunning! It makes me feel so calm just looking at it. I can only imagine what it must look like in real life. It's beautiful. Love the mellow colours that the dyes created. I think you're on to something here.

dear lisa..there is so,so much beauty and talent out there but it's not very often i am touched, motivated and inspired by someone's actual demeanor and words... after following your generous rock tutorial and purchasing one of your gorgeous stones, i've felted and embroidered some for myself, now have enrolled in a couple of felting classes, and am enjoying a wholly new pastime..all inspired by you! thank you for sharing yourself so openly. as for your absolute masterpiece, the beauty and story behind it made me tear up and feel so happy with life and that there is so much simple pleasure in the most humble things and that you have translated that into such lovely, lovely heartfelt art. thank you for sharing such joy!..lucia

This is so amazingly beautiful, I can't find the words to describe how it makes me feel. I am in awe of your imagination and talent. I enjoy crocheting on stones, but have been inspired by you to try a little felting and embroidering too...let's just say I've a long way to go :)